What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
syntactic
Example
The syntactic structure of the sentence was incorrect, making it difficult to understand. [syntactic: adjective]
Example
She studied the syntactic rules of English grammar in her linguistics class. [syntactic: adjective]
linguistic
Example
Linguistic research has shown that language acquisition is influenced by environmental factors. [linguistic: adjective]
Example
She has a strong linguistic ability and can speak multiple languages fluently. [linguistic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Linguistic is more commonly used than syntactic in everyday language. Linguistic is a more general term that can be used in various contexts, while syntactic is more technical and is often used in academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between syntactic and linguistic?
Syntactic is typically used in more formal or technical contexts, while linguistic can be used in both formal and informal settings.